Who Are We?

 

How It All Began

In the mid-1980's, a group of history loving Bellevue citizens, Bill Oddo and Gene Leonard among them, applied for incorporation in the State of Ohio as the Bellevue Heritage Museum and Society.  Their goal was to preserve items pertaining to Bellevue's development and to promote interest in local history.  A charter (#706297) was granted and a museum of Bellevue artifacts was opened at 115 S. Sandusky Street, Bellevue, Ohio / Huron County.  In 1988, this organization was granted 501c(3) non-profit tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service.

In the early 1990's, the museum was moved to 200 East Main Street.  In 2000, the name of the organization was officially changed to the Bellevue Historical Society and Heritage Museum which remains its formal name today. In 2002, the Society took a giant leap of faith and purchased the Tremont House at 101-103 East Main Street from the estate of Gene Leonard.  108 North West Street, the current office of the Society, was acquired in 2005.  In 2006, most of the museum artifacts were placed in storage so that the funds of the Society could be devoted to the purchase of the Tremont House.

The Bellevue Historical Society is governed by a Board of Directors which consists of 7 to 10 citizens.  Members of the Board are elected at the Society's annual meeting held each March.  The Bellevue Historical Society is an all volunteer organization with no paid employees.


Our Mission
The mission of the Society is to preserve the history of Bellevue, Ohio, for future generations through the preservation of historic buildings and artifacts pertaining to the growth and development of Bellevue, Ohio.
 

What Do We Do?
The  Bellevue Historical Society:

  • Helps and encourages young people, stimulating them to learn about their heritage
  • Helps older people to recall the past by presenting programs of interest
  • Presents programs on preservation and historical interest in the area
  • Actively collects photos, documents, videos, artifacts, etc. regarding Bellevue, Ohio history and development
  • Maintains an archive of material for the history of Bellevue, Ohio which will be prominently displayed in the future opening of the Tremont House Heritage Museum


The Society publishes a quarterly newsletter, The Tremont Trumpet, whose purpose is to inform members of Society activities as well as to add to their knowledge and enjoyment of Bellevue history.  It is the desire of the Society to encourage local residents as well as visitors to Bellevue to appreciate this area's rich history and to enjoy learning about its development.

If you would like to become a member of Bellevue Historical Society, or would like more information, please click HERE to CONTACT US.